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Turtle Talk Blog
There are two ways of looking at the job market. One is to acknowledge the fact that outsourcing, downsizing and layoffs continue to happen despite major news sources that report new job growth. What kinds of jobs? Are they living wage jobs? The reality is that most job “opportunities” in the U.S. job market do not pay a living wage nor offer an individual the chance to work in some form of meaningful work that addresses the environmental crises we face. You don’t see many job posting requirements asking for skills that “support the sustainability of planet earth.”
The good news about this dilemma is that we get to reimagine a new workworld through the advancement of the environmental movement and the rapidly growing green economy. We get to rethink how we approach this new market. This is a great time to start or own a business. Small green businesses are adding millions of jobs to the economy. Whether you launch a green service business, or work for someone else who founded a green business, you need to pay attention to your own stirring. See yourself doing the kind of work you think needs to be done! Imagine yourself in the picture.
Paul Hawken, author of the book “Growing a Business” says that the most successful idea for a business will “grow from something that is deep within you.” If you have an idea for a new business that will promote sustainability, check it out! Do the research. Get advice. Calculate the risks. Reimagine the marketplace. Then, imagine yourself working in it and make it a reality!
Barbara Parks
What a great time to be born! What a great time to be alive! Because this generation gets to essentially completely change this world. —Paul Hawken
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What's the Future of Green Business? |
The economy is greening and growing! According to trend-watchers and concerned observers, all market sectors will be effected, whatever market you’re in! The future of green business is unfolding before us!
The global market for green businesses is estimated to reach 1 trillion dollars in the next five years. (Source: Christian Science Monitor)
The greatest engine for creating wealth today is green business. (Source: Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems)
Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange reports a “capital shift” in the economy to business that is “saving rather than destroying” our natural world.
What is your part in the future of green business? The answer lies in creative thinking and a conscious search for reliable, useful information – which you can find here in Turtle Talk and during our coaching sessions! The question is, when will you take action to create your future?
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Welcome to Turtle Talk, blog for Green Career Tracks, my career coaching practice.
Why turtle talk? Besides the fact that I’ve been deeply connected to turtle as a personal guide for many years, I happen to find the fact that turtle won the race because he was more mindful than the hare to be truly inspiring. The fable greatly confirms my belief that a green career track is more about the conscious career choices we make along the way than scoring the prize job! |
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When I made the decision in 2005 to found Green Career Tracks, I made a commitment to promote only work that supports a more sustainable and just planet. But nothing in my 15-year career coaching background prepared me for the challenge of “going green” with my career coaching practice. I knew that I would need to have minimal information about a lot of environmental and social justice issues. I was confident that my activist experience and my research skills would form the basis of a knowledge of green market sectors and work opportunities. But the learning curve proved more daunting than I imagined!
When I’m not working with clients, I attend conferences, book lectures, and local meetings supporting the sustainability movement. I read to stay abreast of how the green economy is growing and what marketing strategy is needed to create work opportunities.
I search the internet daily to learn of green job listings, information on green field or market sector growth trends, socially responsible company profiles, reports from environmental business alliances and activist coalitions. And I do specific research for clients when they request it (many clients have reported getting overwhelmed and lost doing online research of green careers and issues!)
In other words, I'm busy. The hours are long. Some days it’s hard to stay true to this career track I’ve chosen. But my work authentically expresses who I am and what I value. And I'm serving the individuals I coach who've made the decision to “go green” in their career track.
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Testimonials
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“I would rather have a dozen root canals than search for a job! Barbara Parks, however, made the search relatively painless and uncovered several opportunities for me to pursue. I found my dream job in environmental health. I am deeply grateful to her and highly recommend her to you.”
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